CMWKSD -Chapter 73 Spring Festival

After finishing the reunion meal, Ji Chaomian took out the firecrackers he had bought in advance and began setting them off.

Before long, the villagers started joining in. Thanks to the Ji family, sweet potatoes had sold well this year, so even the poorer families could afford a pound or two of meat to enjoy a proper New Year.

The continuous bursts of firecrackers made Jiu Yue’s face sour—it was far too noisy.

The younger members of the Ji family held the hua yi leng (modern sparklers) Ji Chaomian had bought and started lighting them. The firelight illuminated their little faces, full of smiles and contentment. Ji Yiqing had just used a fire striker to light one for Ji Youqin.

Ji Youqin happily twirled the sparkler in the air, carefully making sure the sparks didn’t fall on her new cotton clothes. This year’s Spring Festival had good food, good drinks, and new warm clothes—plentiful and cozy.

“Second sister-in-law is really great!” she thought.

Ji Yiqing turned and saw Jiu Yue standing under the eaves, face sour.

Having spent some time with Jiu Yue, Ji Yiqing had come to understand her a bit. After all, she wasn’t really that old. Although in the village, at her age, she should be a little child clinging to her mother with a runny nose, Ji Yiqing still felt she hadn’t grown up yet. How could she be expected to bear a child?

He reached out to take Jiu Yue’s hand. Reflexively, she swatted it away, her delicate face puckered, framed by the white cloak, looking even softer and more beautiful.

Ji Yiqing didn’t mind her rejection. Smiling gently, he tugged on her sleeve, “Let’s go play with fireworks.”

Jiu Yue muttered that it was childish, but despite her words, she was still led to the yard by him.

Ji Yiqing lit a hua yi leng, which was essentially a modern sparkler, harmless to people. Fearing she might resist, he stood beside her, covering her small hand with his large one. Jiu Yue held the sparkler, moving it in the air along with his guiding hand. “Doesn’t it look pretty?” he asked.

Jiu Yue pursed her lips. “It’s okay, I guess. Just so-so.”

Ji Yiqing didn’t get upset. Once that sparkler burned out, he lit another.

After the fireworks, it was time to stay up late for New Year’s Eve.

The family moved to the main hall. Where Ji Shan and Hu Chunhua would normally sit, Jiu Yue sat without a second thought. Ji Yiqing chuckled indulgently and sat beside her.

Seeing that Jiu Yue wasn’t reacting, everyone tentatively started talking. She didn’t engage, only taking small bites of the sunflower seeds and peanuts Ji Yiqing peeled for her.

As she ate, sleepiness overcame her. Coming here had one big effect—her biological clock was too regular. There was nothing to do at night anyway.

No wonder people in ancient times could have so many children—once night fell, they went straight to bed. But night only came at six, seven, or eight o’clock. If not making children, what else could they do?

Ji Yiqing continued peeling seeds when he felt a weight on his shoulder. The room’s chatter instantly paused.

He turned to see Jiu Yue leaning against his shoulder, asleep.

If the Ji family hadn’t been subjected to Jiu Yue’s usual mischief, Hu Chunhua would probably have scolded her for shamelessly leaning on a man so openly. But now, Hu Chunhua dared not say a word, even thinking silently, Jiu Yue sleeps so well, so wonderfully.

Ji Yiqing glanced at the others. Ji Youqin politely went to get the cloak Jiu Yue had removed, wanting to cover her with it.

Ji Yiqing shook his head. “No need. I’ll take her inside to sleep. You all can continue staying up.”

No one dared to object. Ji Yiqing supported Jiu Yue’s head with one hand, rested it on his shoulder, then lifted her legs and cradled her securely. Holding her steadily in his arms, he inexplicably felt a twinge of tenderness.

Jiu Yue seemed so capable, yet she was light—so light that holding her almost felt like holding nothing.

At dawn on the first day of the Lunar New Year, everyone woke early—the year’s plan lies in spring, the day’s plan lies in the morning. No one slept in.

Customs varied by region, and ancient customs were even more unique.

Jiu Yue, still half-asleep, followed Ji Yiqing to a sleepy breakfast. Then he handed her a pile of small red envelopes. Just as she was about to ask what they were for, a group of little children ran into the yard. Ji Yiqing promptly gave them the red envelopes.

The coins inside were few, only a single wen each, but it was the thought that counted.

The children accepted the envelopes and swarmed in front of Jiu Yue, wishing her health, a happy New Year, and endless blessings, pouring out words of goodwill as if they were free.

Jiu Yue wanted to kick them all out one by one, but she remembered she was in ancient times. She wasn’t a murderous lunatic; she needed to blend in to live well.

Unaccustomed to handling this many children, she looked up for help. Only to meet Ji Yiqing’s smiling eyes.

His gaze, full of warmth, fell on her with affection and care.

Dazed, Jiu Yue handed out the red envelopes to the children, receiving a basketful of blessings in return.

Wave after wave of children came and went. From initially flustered, Jiu Yue gradually became numb, like a machine designed solely for passing out envelopes. Her table piled with red envelopes—one for each child that came by.

Heavens, how many children were in this village? What did people do all day? Why have so many children?

It wasn’t the villagers’ fault—this was a custom called “bringing joy and spreading joy.”

In previous years, only village landlords and estate owners gave red envelopes. Other families usually offered seeds or peanuts for the children. But this year, most people knew the Ji family had made money, so giving red envelopes was normal. Hence, the rush of children.

Seeing Jiu Yue’s exasperated expression, Ji Yiqing stepped forward. Jiu Yue had developed muscle memory: she intended to pat the head of a child and say, “Happy New Year.”

But instead of the child’s head, her hand landed on Ji Yiqing’s rear.

Jiu Yue: “Oh! What’s this feeling?!”

Ji Yiqing: …

He didn’t pull her hand away, just glanced around furtively like a thief. Seeing no one watching, he exhaled.

Normally so proper and courteous, he seemed utterly bewitched around Jiu Yue, abandoning all sense of decorum.

Turning back, he met Jiu Yue’s teasing gaze. Perhaps finding Ji Yiqing’s rear irresistible, she pinched again, making him almost smoke.

“Jiu Yue!” he exclaimed.

“Ha ha ha ha!” she couldn’t hold back her laughter. Being the red envelope delivery person all morning had left her frustrated, but now her mood lightened a bit.

Ji Yiqing took her mischievous hand in his own from behind, then pulled something out of his embrace.